Need to Know, December 30, 2011: Eye on Iowa

December 30, 2011

This week, Need to Know homes in on Iowa, where the all-important Iowa caucuses will take place, setting the stage for the 2012 presidential campaign ahead. Correspondent Rick Karr takes a look at how evangelical Christian voters in the state have been unable to agree on a candidate from the selection of GOP hopefuls. We also explore how presidential candidates are no longer pledging to commit to ethanol subsidies, and “American Voices” essayist Michael Gartner gives an overall portrait of his home state. Ray Suarez hosts.

With the Iowa Republican presidential caucuses days away, Need to Know correspondent Rick Karr examines how conservative evangelical voters there have been unable to coalesce around one candidate. Four years ago, their support of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee propelled him to victory over former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney.

Need to Know is a production of Creative News Group (CNG) in association with WNET. Marc Rosenwasser is Executive Producer. Need to Know is made possible by Bernard and Irene Schwartz, Mutual of America, Citi Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Foundation, Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS.